PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 71, 14 February 1846, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

On Wednesday afternoon a Public Meeting was held at the Britannia Saloon, for the parpose of agreeing to an address to be presented to Captain Grey on his arrival in Wellington. On the motion of Mr. Dorset, seconded by Mr. R. Stokes, C. Clifford, Esq., was called to the chair. The Chairman said that he would not detain them by many observations on the present occasion. They were aware that his Excellency Captain Grey was now hourly expected at Wellington, and they had met for the purpose of agreeing upon a suitable address to him on his arrival. He would therefore call upon Dr. Featherston to propose to the meeting the address which had been prepared for their consideration. Dr. Featherston then read the address, and after expressing his regret th£t it Had not been adopted at the previous meeting, said bafek satisfied that those who then opposed it would now be the very first to admit, that the intelligence which had recently arrived fully justified him in moving for a new trial, in calling upon them to reconsider their verdict. If at

the former meeting they could urge the adoption of the address, on the ground that it was a mark of respect at all times due to her Majesty's Representative on his first visit to those over whom he was sent to rule— if they could then urge it on the ground of the ability which Captain Grey had displayed in the administration of the government of South Australia — if they could then refer to him, as.the author of those views upon the treatment of aboriginal races, to the justice of which all present had ever borne their testimony, and to the neglect of which the disastrous state to which this colony had been reduced, was mainly attributable — if they could then adduce such reasons as these, in support of the address, he (Dr. F.) felt, that he could now ftake much higher ground — that he was now under no necessity of referring to Captain drey's proceedings, as Governor of another colony, but that he could now point, to the vigour and energy which have marked the commencement of his career as Governor of these Islands — to the successful issue of his «perations in the North — to his public declaration, that he will assert and maintain, no matter at what cost, the supremacy of the British Crown, and that he will exact from the Native race no matter at what sacrifice, the most implicit obedience to his authority — be (Dr. F.) could point, to his Excellency's avowed determination to visit all the settlements, and to ascertain by himself and for himself the views, the wants and wishes of the Settlers, before he took a single step in legislation — but above all, he could point to the evidence already in this harbour of his fixed determination to do them justice, and to put them into possession of their lands, from which they had been so long and so unjustly debarred. With such knowledge then of what he had already accomplished, and with such evidence before them of what he intends, he (Dr. F.) felt, that the settlers would all join not merely in paying to Captain Grey that tribute of respect due to him as her Majesty's Representative, but in giving him a more cordial and hearty welcome than had ever greeted either of his predecessors on their first landing in this settlement. But at the same time, let them not forget, that the mere substitution of Captain Grey for Captain Fitzroy, was not of itself a remedy for all their grievances— and that unless they were determined to follow up their present advantages, their past exertions might prove entirely fruitless. It was undoubtedly true, that it was chiefly owing to the firmness of purpose, which the Settlers in Cook's Straits had displayed during the last six years — to their wholesome agitation, — that the attention of the Honse Government had been attracted to this colony, and that there seemed a probability of a remedy being at length applied to the evils of which they had so long complained; — it was true that it was entirely and solely through their assistance that the New Zealand Company had obtained their present triumph — but it was still more true that even after the settlement of the land question, they (the settlers) had many unsatisfied claims both upon the Local Government and the- New Zealand Company — until they had obtained some voice in the government of this colony — until they saw the seat of Government placed in Cook's Straits — until they received from the New Zealand Company some more convincing proof of their regard for their interests, than mere professions of regret at the sacrifices to which they had been compelled to submit, he trusted, that the settlers would continue as firmly united as ever, and more than ev«r resolved to assert their just claims whether upon the Government or the Company. After some further remarks, Dr. F. moved — That the address now read be adopted, and be presented to His Excellency by the Chairman of this meeting, on bis first landing. Mr. Fitzherbert, in seconding the resolution, said — He would only add one observation to what had been so ably urged by Dr. Featherston, but he thought it would be pertinent on the present occasion; — he hoped that while they took care not to give up any of their just rights, that they would not shew any of that spirit of dictation which had on former occasions been imputed to them, and which might create an unfavorable impression of them, but that they would resolve most cordially and unanimously to greet their new Governor on his arrival amongst them. Mr. Revans, in proposing the second resolution, said it was necessary that the settlers should have the opportunity of communicating with the Governor, and for this purpose it would be desirable to form a deputation to express their wants and wishes. The land question might be considered as settled, but there was a more important question still which remained to be decided, and he was sure the settlers of Port Nicholson could never hope for good government until the seat of Government was removed. Previous to the arrival of the Calliope it was more than three months since there had been an arrival from Auckland, and the evils arising from the dis-

tance of the seat of Government were so great as in his opinion to render this question of more importance than all the others put together. After a few other observations, he concluded by moving the following resolution : — That a deputation be appointed to wait upon His Excellency for the purpose of laying before him the views of the settlers on the subjects more immediately connected with their interests, and that such deputation consist of— Dr. Featherston, S. Revans, C. Clifford, Hon. H. Petre* W. Fitzherbert, Mr. Moore had great pleasure in seconding the resolution ; the persons proposed as the deputation were old settlers who were well known, and were fully entitled to the confi- , dence of the meeting. After a few observations from Mr. C. Strode, Mr. Wade said he hoped on the present occasion they would act with a spirit of unanimity, as one community; for if the apple of discord were thrown amongst them, it would be a convenient excuse for not helping those who were not agreed among themselves. ! They would be split into 500 different districts, each requiring one of those useful animals called Residents. Mr. Wade concluded by observing that he thought instead of limiting the number of the deputation, it would be desirable to increase it, and moved as an amendment the addition of twelve names to the deputation. Mr. Wade's amendment was seconded by Mr. Roots. A discussion followed in which several persons took part, after which the amendment was put to the meeting, and lost by a considerable majority. The original resolution was then carried. The thanks of the meeting were then voted to the Chairman, after which the meeting separated.

A public meeting was held on Thursday evening, which was most numerously attended, to take into consideration the general bearing of the Cattle Trespass Ordinance on the prospects of the colony. Mr. Revans was called to the chair, and we regret that want of room will only enable us to insert the resolutions passed on the occasion. Moved by Mr. Wade, seconded by Mr. W. B. Rhodes— That in the opinion of this meeting the working of the Cattle Trespass Ordinance is oppressive ; and that the burden is found to bear principally upon the industrious classes of the community. Moved by Mr. \V. B. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. Davis — That this meeting deem it expedient to make the present appeal to the authorities, — to the effect that the Cattle Trespass Ordinance be suffered to remain inoperative, except in cases of actual trespass upon private property, and where damage can be proved to have been sustained. Moved by Mr. Wallace, seconded by Mr. Mvir — That the first and second resolution be placed in the hands of the Chairman, to be laid before Henry St. Hill, Esq., police magistrate of this district, and that the Chairman do request that gentleman's adoption of the spirit of them so far as he can do so consistently with the discharge of his public duty. Moved by Mr. Hart, seconded by Mr. H. Wallace — That an address, embodying the foregoing resolutions, be prepared for presentation to his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor during his stay in Wellington, urging also the propriety of substituting an impounding ordinance in lieu of the Cattle Trespass Ordinance. Moved by Dr, Featherston, seconded by Mr. Carpenter — That Mr. W. B. Rhodes, Mr. John Wallace, Mr. John Wade, and Mr. Robert Hart, be requested to draw up and present the address to his Excellency, in accordance with the fourth resolution. j

We are glad to hear that our old fellow colonist J. Crawford, Esq., has arrived with Mrs. Crawford in the Driver, and that they have engaged Dr. Evans' house.

We are informed that the Calliope has brought five thousand pounds in specie for the use of this settlement, and that the Driver has brought from China the sum of fifteen thousand pounds in specie for the use of the New Zealand Government.

We understand that the Companies of the 58th and 96th Regiments stationed at Wellington will probably be relieved by the troops recently arrived in the Calliope and Castor. We are sure that the officers will bear with them the regrets of those settlers who have had the pleasure of knowingthem, and who will be very sorry to lose their agreeable society.

Tee Mary Catherine has been chartered by the New Zealand Company to convey their Surveying Stan? to the new Settlement at Otakou. - We believe she will sail to-morrow (Sunday) for Auckland via Otakou.

The Monster Petition. — The Petition of the Settlers in Cook's Straits to the House of Commons against toe policy hitherto pursued by the Government in New Zealand was forwarded by the Nelson, The Petition itself is

forty-eight feet long, and the list of signatures thirty-three feet long. The total number of signatures is 1,517> viz. : Nelson signatures 606; New Plymouth do., 185; Wanganui and Wellington do., 726. We believe the Petition will be intrusted to Mr. Buller, with a request that in the event of his being prevented from presenting it, he would forward it to Lord John RusselL